Devdutt Padikkal struck a commanding 167 as India overcame lengthy rain interruptions to reach 460 for nine at stumps on the second day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Sunday.
Persistent rain wiped out the entire first session, with play eventually beginning at 2.35 p.m. after repeated efforts from the ground staff to prepare the outfield. With more poor weather forecast, India looked to accelerate after resuming from its overnight score of 288 for two.
Padikkal, already a centurion, continued to lead the charge. Rishabh Pant also showed attacking intent, hitting left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya for a boundary before Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva opted for the new ball.
The move brought some reward. Pant miscued an attempted big shot against Keshara Nuwantha, while K.L. Rahul’s return to the crease proved brief as he also fell to the debutant off-spinner. Nuwantha generated useful turn and bounce to trouble the Indian batters.
Padikkal remained in control and went beyond 150 with a boundary off Asitha Fernando. With Dhruv Jurel alongside him, the left-hander began increasing the tempo before Jayasuriya finally ended his innings by having him stumped for 167.
Ravindra Jadeja arrived with an aggressive approach but could not stay long enough to build a substantial partnership. Jurel, however, provided stability to India’s lower order and helped push the total beyond 400.
The wicketkeeper-batter struck Nuwantha for six and later added valuable runs alongside Manav Suthar. Jurel’s resistance eventually ended when Dhananjaya took a sharp catch at first slip off Jayasuriya.
Mohammed Siraj then added some late entertainment with a six as India finished the shortened day on 460 for nine from 116 overs.
Earlier, Galle’s wet conditions dominated proceedings. Heavy rain and dark clouds repeatedly frustrated attempts to restart the match, despite sustained work from the ground staff.
India coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak were among those who inspected the outfield during the delay, while bowling coach Morne Morkel spent time with Sri Lanka coach Gary Kirsten.
Another spell of rain briefly interrupted preparations for the restart before conditions finally improved.
With further rain expected over the coming days, India will hope its imposing first-innings total has provided enough of a platform to put Sri Lanka under pressure whenever conditions allow play to continue.
